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The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to release Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), as well as members of his family.
The Shi’ites leader has been in DSS custody since December 2015 when his followers clashed with Nigerian army in Zaria, Kaduna state. The DSS said he was being held for his own protection.
But in court on Friday, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, wondered what part of the law allows a person to be held in custody for his own protection.
His words: “The decision to hold the applicant and his wife for their safety is based on which law?
“I have not been shown any incident report or any complain lodged by residents around the neighbourhood that the applicant has become a nuisance to his neighbourhood.”
He ordered the DSS to, within, 45 days, release Zakzaky and his family to the police who would guard them at a safe place
The judge said within 45 days, the government should release Zakzaky and his family to the police who would guard them at a safe place.
The judge also awarded N50 million to him and his wife.